It did not cite its sources for Tuesday’s report, which said an investor group from Almaty was favourite to buy ATF bank for around 440 million euros ($569 million), in line with its current book value.

A deal was not certain because some details still needed negotiation, it added.

ATF had total assets of 5 billion euros and 103 branches as of September, making it the country’s fifth-biggest lender, Bank Austria says on its website.

Bank Austria was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.7736 euros) (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Helen Massy-Beresford)